teenagers’
fi tness
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Using physical activity to tackle teenage anti-social behaviour
is a concept that’s slowly being employed by social enterprises
and local government. Caroline Wilkinson looks at the
initiatives available for teenagers across the country
A
ddresssing the issue of and mental and emotional states. Boys Recent statistics show a 50 per cent
teenage obesity has been with less than one hour of moderate drop in criminal damage and recorded
at the forefront of new to vigorous physical activity a week had crimes in local areas when Sound Waves
government initiatives more symptoms of depression, anxiety is running. Simon Burnett, principal
recently. Fitness companies have risen and attention diffi culties. Inactive girls development manager, says: “The
to the challenge and are helping engage were reported to be similar, but with an activities provide a positive environment
mainstream youth in exercise – but increase in rule-breaking and aggression away from negative attitudes and
what about those disinterested teens compared to more active peers. infl uences on behaviour.”
who have little connection with society, “Adolescence is already a complicated Similarly, Wigan Leisure & Culture
who spend most of their time engaged and sometimes diffi cult stage of life – Trust has found running a late night
in anti-social behaviour, and who we emotionally, mentally and physically,” football league on Friday night an effective
struggle to reach through education? It’s says study author Marko T Kantomaa. diversionary activity for more than 250
believed that physical activity can help “Compounding that with negative mental young people. In the Game On Midnight
with a healthy transition into adulthood, and emotional effects brought on by League, 12–16-year-olds play fi ve-a-
because it not only has physiological physical inactivity does not help young side football between 8pm and 9.30pm.
benefi ts, but also has a positive impact people ease into adulthood. Physical Funded by The Coalfi elds Regeneration
on emotional and mental health. activity could be a highly effective and Trust and the Football Foundation,
Physical inactivity has been associated relatively easy way to help that transition, Game On focuses on former mining
with many emotional and behavioural and could, in addition, lead to the communities in the North West, East
problems in adolescents, according to a establishment of life-long healthy habits.” Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East
study by the American College of Sports Providing teenagers with a channel to where there is a general lack of activity.
Medicine. More than 7,000 youths vent or re-target their frustrations has In the scheme, football is also used to
aged 15–16 participated in the survey, had a proven benefi t for individuals and develop young people’s awareness of
reporting on their levels of exercise communities through reduced crime key social issues such as respect, health,
rates and anti-social behaviour. Sefton wellbeing and anti-social behaviour.
Council, in Liverpool, witnessed a 37 per The Secretary of State for Culture,
cent drop in anti-social behaviour and a Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, says:
17.5 per cent reduction in crime when it “Schemes like this are fantastic in
ran a diversionary weekend of activities, helping reduce anti-social behaviour.
in partnership with Merseyside Police, for Even if they’re not playing, young people
more than 1,000 young people. are coming along to support and watch
Other programmes, supported by their friends so they are all together in a
OCK.COM
operator Active Sefton, include Free & safe, controlled environment.”
.IST
Active, which provides youths aged eight
to 18 with structured sporting activities forging relationships
WWW
in the summer holidays, and Sound Encouraging respect is high on the
Diversionary tactics A late night
Waves, which exposes youths aged agenda for most troubled youth
fi ve-a-side football league in Wigan
13–19 to local bands and DJ challenges programmes – respect for themselves,
attracts 250 youths aged 12–16.
T
OP PICTURE:
while swimming on a Saturday night. other participants and society – as well
may 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Health Club Management online 39
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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